Holiday Travel Reminder

oiss@tulane.edu oiss@tulane.edu
View PDF

As we approach the end of the year, the coming holidays, and the break between semesters, we understand that many of you are planning some well-deserved travel, and we’d like to take this opportunity to offer a few reminders. 

Many of you are looking forward to seeing your families, some for the first time in two years or more.  It’s an exciting time, but we want to be sure that you are all making informed decisions about travel and the risks that travel includes, and that you are planning for the many variables that can occur. 

COVID-19 continues to play a role in our lives and the recent arrival of the Omicron variant is another example that things can change quickly.  As you plan any travel, please be willing to exhibit flexibility in your plans. 

We continue to urge caution in non-essential international travel, but if you do choose to travel, please keep the following in mind: 

  • Please be sure that you have a valid travel authorization signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 prior to your departure. 
  • Those of you who have expired visas in your passport will need to renew your visa at a consulate before you may return to the US.  Consulates continue to have limited visa appointments, especially during the busy holiday season, so please make sure to leave adequate time for renewal.  You may check the wait times at your nearest consulate here.  
  • All non-US Citizens arriving to the US by air will need to show proof of COVID vaccination before being permitted to board their flight. 
  • Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals, including US Citizens and LPR will be required to show proof of a negative covid test administered within 24 hours of their scheduled flight departure time. 
  • With limited exceptions for family members, all non-US Citizens/Permanent Residents who have been in the following countries in the past 14 days will not be permitted to enter the US:  
    • South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. 
    • If you travel to those countries, you will need to plan to spend 14 days in a third country before returning to the US.   
  • For those of you who travel outside of the US  over Tulane’s Winter Break, we recommend consulting this site in advance of your return for the latest requirements for reentry to the United States, in addition to looking for updates from OISS.  

We hope that you continue to stay safe wherever you choose to spend the coming vacation and we wish you and your families a very happy holiday season.